A summary of the recovery needs, programs and supports in your county is just a click away.
(Click on map to go there now.)
An exciting new tool gives you all the precise info you’ve been missing
A wealth of knowledge regarding the recovery resources in your county is now just a click away, thanks to the new Recovery Ecosystem Mapping Tool developed through a Fletcher Group Rural Center Of Excellence partnership with researchers at East Tennessee State University and NORC at the University of Chicago.
With a simple click on the map pictured above, the nation’s first interactive data visualization tool gives users a detailed snapshot of the recovery ecosystem resources available in every U.S. county.
“This is a real game-changer for recovery allies all across the country,” says Fletcher Group Founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ernie Fletcher,. “Instant access to highly detailed information will help them work much more efficiently and effectively. That’s especially important because recovery ecosystems involve so many moving parts and rely so heavily on local resources. Recovery housing is the logical first step—that’s why we’re so dedicated to it—but many other resources and services must be in place as well. Having a quick, accurate, and detailed snapshot of what’s available—and what’s missing—will be a godsend, especially in the rural communities we serve.”
How it came about
The Recovery Ecosystem Index Mapping Tool is the first-ever interactive data visualization tool that measures the strength of recovery ecosystems across the United States. Developed by NORC, ETSU, and the Fletcher Group, Inc., the tool allows users to explore the Recovery Ecosystem Index and its underlying indicators. The index comprises 14 indicators that impact the strength of a recovery ecosystem, organized into three components: SUD Treatment, Continuum of SUD Support, and Infrastructure and Social Factors. The tool also allows users to create data overlays that show the association between the Recovery Ecosystem Index and factors such as overdose mortality rates and sociodemographic and economic factors, such as poverty rate, education, and race/ethnicity, among others.
“At NORC, we understand the power of data in the hands of local decision makers,” said Caitlin Oppenheimer, Director of the Public Health Research Department at NORC. “We also know that substance use disorder is one of the greatest public health challenges our nation faces. Combining data visualization expertise, community-based research capacity, and technical assistance experience, we have developed a tool that provides communities with important information about the strength of their local recovery ecosystem and will guide them towards strategies to better support individuals in recovery.”
“Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, East Tennessee State University is surrounded by unparalleled beauty, vibrancy, and diversity. And yet, our region has been disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis,” said ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. “This tool will help our community, and communities across the nation, to identify resources and services that will support individuals on their recovery journey. We are proud to have contributed the experience and expertise of our Addiction Science Center and our Center for Rural Health Research to such an important endeavor.” For example, the tool integrates overdose mortality rates with data on poverty, education and other demographic factors, allowing users to compare county-level information to the rest of their state and the nation. It also allows community organizations, policymakers, researchers, substance use treatment providers, other decision-makers and the general public to explore county-level maps and create data dashboards to understand those factors in their communities and where additional resources are most needed to provide support to those in recovery. Insights derived from this tool can be used to target resources and interventions in order to enhance recovery ecosystems.
How it works
The Recovery Ecosystem Index is comprised of 14 indicators that impact the strength of a recovery ecosystem, organized into three components – SUD Treatment; Continuum of SUD Support; and Infrastructure and Social Factors. The tool also allows users to create data overlays that show the association between the Recovery Ecosystem Index and factors such as overdose mortality rates, socio-demographic and economic factors such as poverty rate, education, and race/ethnicity, among others.
Need help using the new tool? Click below!
Valuable Links
About NORC at the University of Chicago
NORC at the University of Chicago conducts research and analysis that decision-makers trust. As a nonpartisan research organization and a pioneer in measuring and understanding the world, NORC has studied almost every aspect of the human experience and every major news event for more than eight decades. NORC partners with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world to provide the objectivity and expertise necessary to inform the critical decisions facing society. NORC is also home to the Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, a research center dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all our nation’s rural and remote communities
“At NORC, we understand the power of data in the hands of local decision makers,” says Caitlin Oppenheimer, Director of the Public Health Research Department at NORC. “We also know that substance use disorder is one of the greatest public health challenges our nation faces. Combining data visualization expertise, community-based research capacity, and technical assistance experience, we have developed a tool that provides communities with important information about the strength of their local recovery ecosystem and will guide them towards strategies to better support individuals in recovery.”
About East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a public university located in the Northeast Tennessee region bordered by Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia. With over 100 years of experience improving the lives and well-being of individuals and communities, ETSU has grown to be a national leader in addressing key health issues through education, research, and service. ETSU is home to a robust Academic Health Sciences Center—ETSU Health—and over 10 centers with diverse research and service interests, including the ETSU Center for Rural Health Research and the ETSU Addiction Science Center.
“Our region has been disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis,” said ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. “This tool will help our community and communities across the nation identify resources and services that will support individuals on their recovery journey. We are proud to have contributed the experience and expertise of our Addiction Science Center and our Center for Rural Health Research to such an important endeavor.”
This web page is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $17.1 million with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
You must be logged in to post a comment.